Modern Languages and Classics

Major Courses and Graduate Courses in Spanish

All 500-level courses require graduate standing.

SPA 401: Golden Age
A study of masterpieces of poetry and prose from the 16th and 17th centuries provides an overview of the period and critical abilities. Poetry by Garcilaso, Fray Luis, San Juan, Gongora, and Quevedo, etc. Prose readings include Lazarillo de Tormes, Diana, Suenos y discursos, and Novelas ejemplares etc. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Western Cultural Tradition requirements.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 403: Cervantes
A careful reading of the Spanish masterpiece, Don Quixote, including its historical background and continuing influence. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Western Cultural Tradition requirements. Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 405: Spanish Literature of the Nineteenth Century
Discussion of the novel from “costumbrismo” to “realismo, ” the compromise of Spanish naturalism, and the Romantic movements between tradition and revolt.
(Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 406: Spanish Literature of the Twentieth Century
Selections from the poetry, essays, and novels of the pre and Civil War period contextualized through readings in the history and thought of the times.
(Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Western Cultural Tradition requirements. Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 409: Contemporary Latin-American Short Story
A study of Latin-American short story writers including discussion of such significant contemporary concerns as poverty, politics and religion, and such themes as the interplay of fantasy and reality and the relativity of madness. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 410: Latin American Novel
The contemporary novel in Spanish America, with special attention on some of the novelists of The “Boom”. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 411: Contemporary Latin American Theater
A study of the major Latin-American playwrights of the 20th century. Reading and analysis of plays, class discussion. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 412: Contemporary Peninsular Theater
A study of major Spanish playwrights of the 20th Century. Reading and analysis of plays, class discussion. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308 or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

SPA 420: Hispanic Film
Areas covered may vary and could include the following topics: national cinemas; director of note; the social, political, historic and economic factors that influence both the creation and content of films; and an analysis of the components of cinematography. May be repeated for credit. (Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Artistic and Creative Expression Requirements.) Prerequisite: Any 300-level Spanish course or permission. Cr 3.

SPA 441: Applied Hispanic Linguistics
Details forthcoming

SPA 444: Translation Theory & Techniques
Designed to develop awareness of linguistic styles and structures and emphasize the complex relationship between a language and its context. Taught as workshop, with regular assignments of texts for translation, comparison and evaluation. Selections from literature and general topics, although this is not a literature course. Attention given to theories of translation both past and present and how these theories respond to cultural and ideological perspectives; and relate to Spanish translation. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspective and Writing Intensive Requirements.) Prerequisite: SPA 306 or equivalent. Cr 3.

SPA 450: Hispanic Civilization
Details forthcoming

SPA 490: Topics and Individual Authors in Spanish
Specific topic varies semester to semester. (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: SPA 307 or SPA 308. May be repeated for credit. Cr 1-3. Â

SPA 495: Senior Project in Spanish
Capstone Experience in which majors in Spanish and in International Affairs with a concentration in Spanish apply language skills and knowledge gained from all prior language study.  Students work closely with faculty advisor on approved project.  Students give public presentation of the project in Spanish.  The coursework will reflect the work of three credit hours, regardless of number of credits taken.
(Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Capstone Experience Requirements.) Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission. Cr 3.

SPA 497: Projects in Spanish I
Independent study on topics selected by student and instructor.
(Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Cr 1-3.

SPA 498: Projects in Spanish II
Independent study on topics selected by student and instructor.
(Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives requirement.) Prerequisite: permission. Cr 1-3.

SPA 503 Cervantes’ Don Quijote
A close reading of Cervantes’ Don Quijote. Special attention paid to narrative structures, historical background, and Baroque perspectivism.
Prerequisite: Advanced oral proficiency in Spanish. Cr 3.

SPA 509 Latin American Short Story
A study of major Latin American Short Story writers.  Reading and analysis of works, class discussion. Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 511: Latin American Theater
A study of major dramatists from Latin America.  Reading and analysis of works, class discussion. Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 512: Spanish Theater
A study of major Spanish dramatists.  Reading and analysis of works, class discussion. Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 515: Seminar in Advanced Grammar
An advanced presentation of Spanish grammar utilizing a linguistic approach rather than prescriptive grammatical rules.  Active, frequent participation by students is expected, leading to the level of ADVANCED SUPERIOR according to ACTFL guidelines. Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 544: Seminar in Translation
Develops student’s ability to translate texts from Spanish into English.  Attention will also be paid to the acquisition of practical and theoretical aspects of translation in general, through readings on translation, its history and current status as a profession.  Texts to be translated will be cultural and literary, and develop sensitivity to the Spanish language and its diverse forms.
Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 549: Seminar in Language & Culture
A course in the fundamental aspects of the social features of human language and Spanish in particular.  Class discussion includes definition and analysis of basic terms and principles of sociolinguistics, linguistic variation and factors such as sex, sociocultural level of speakers and communities, age, languages in contact and the relevance of sociolinguistics to second language instruction.
Cr 3.

SPA 550: Seminar in Hispanic Civilization
Looks at the ways in which a cultural theme or time period has been portrayed in various media, including art, literature, film, posters, and music.  The examples will be from both within Iberia and America.  Selection of materials will cover a broad range and include examples up to the current period.  We will discuss the intersection of art vs. politics, the approaches of the different cultural forms, and issues that play a role in their creation/reception, such as gender, class, and linguistic knowledge. May be repeated for credit up to 4 times.
Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 551: Women of the Hispanic World: Advanced Readings
Provides an overview of women in the “Hispanic World”: we will address the complexity of the term “Hispanic.”  Readings include original texts by women plus studies of women’s groups from a social class, race, and political perspective.  Indigenous, African and European elements are their effects on women’s lives will be addressed through creative writing, interviews, essays, and other media.  Course taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 555: Seminar in Travel Writing
Looks at texts written in or translated into Spanish by travelers of different time periods, gender, political views.  Discussion includes the nature of this literacy genre through theoretical and critical readings, its development over the centuries, and comparison to tourism.  Assignments include close readings of a variety of authors, two projects on selected focus areas (e.g. women travelers, 19th century, a Latin America region or country), and students’ own travel writing.  May be repeated for credit up to 2 times. Prerequisite: Permission. Cr 3.

SPA 566: Methods of Teaching in Spanish
This course includes the study and discussion of theories and methods of Spanish language instruction.  Students will observe K-12 Spanish classes and present lessons for peers for feedback.  The will be ample opportunity for reflection and query, including in areas of individual interest. Cr 3.

SPA 576: Community Projects and the Spanish Classroom
Designed to demonstrate the concept of community engagement or service-learning as an approach to teaching and its appropriateness for language instruction.  Non-teachers will find the project development useful in improving their communication skills and cultural awareness in Spanish. Cr 3.

SPA 597: Projects in Spanish I
Specific projects vary from semester to semester depending on the needs of the graduate student and the skills of the faculty member.
May be repeated for credit. Cr 3.

SPA 598: Projects in Spanish II
Specific projects vary from semester to semester depending on the needs of the graduate student and the skills of the faculty member.
May be repeated for credit. Cr 3.